Gen:Lock (stylized as gen:LOCK) is an American animated science fiction television series created by Gray Haddock and produced by Rooster Teeth. The series is set in a dystopian future Earth in the year 2068, where an international coalition known as The Polity fights a hostile, autocratic invading force known as The Union. The story follows the gen:LOCK program and its members, who participate in the development and testing of an experimental technology that allows individuals with unique mental characteristics to have their minds uploaded to giant suits of mecha armor called "Holons."
Overview
The series blends science fiction, mecha, and action genres. It was announced at RTX Austin in July 2017, and the first episode was released on January 26, 2019, on Rooster Teeth's FIRST platform. The first season consists of eight episodes. A second season of eight episodes premiered on HBO Max on November 4, 2021, and later on Rooster Teeth FIRST on March 23, 2022. In total, the series comprises 16 episodes across two seasons.
Cast and Characters
The main voice cast includes Michael B. Jordan as Julian Chase ("Chaser"), Dakota Fanning as Miranda Worth, Golshifteh Farahani as Yasamin "Yaz" Madrani ("Huma"), Maisie Williams as Cameron "Cammie" MacCloud ("Trixx"), Kōichi Yamadera as Kazu Iida ("Shogun"), Asia Kate Dillon as Val/entina Romanyszyn ("Wraith"), and David Tennant as Dr. Rufus Weller. Michael B. Jordan also served as an executive producer through his production company, Outlier Society Productions.
Production
The concept for Gen:Lock originated in 2017 as a cautionary tale about cultural warfare. Gray Haddock cited several anime titles as inspirations, including Ghost in the Shell, Gundam, Aldnoah Zero, Kiznaiver, and the writing of Gen Urobuchi. The series was Rooster Teeth Animation's first to involve SAG-AFTRA members. Animation for the second season was handled by Vancouver-based studio Bardel Entertainment.
Release
The first season aired on television from August 3, 2019, to September 21, 2019, on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block. A tie-in comic book series was announced by DC Comics in July 2019, described as "Season 1.5," and a novel titled gen:Lock: Storm Warning was released in October 2020.
Reception
Reviews for season 1 were largely positive, with critics praising the animation quality, voice performances, and dialogue. Some criticism noted that action sequences occasionally took precedence over storytelling and that the first season lacked a clearly defined antagonist. The series was nominated for Best Animated Series at the 9th Streamy Awards. Season 2 received praise for its handling of themes including mental illness, trauma recovery, technological intimacy, and identity.
